Substitution of corn grain for dehydrated lemon bagasse in rearing heifer´s diets

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the substitution of corn grain (CG) for increasing levels of dehydrated lemon bagasse (DLB) in rearing heifer´s diets. Forty Braford heifers (158 ± 3.5 kg LW) were randomly assigned in 20 pens, considering each pen as an experimental unit. Four treatments were generated from the inclusion of increasing proportions of DLB in the diet (0, 15, 30, and 45% DM) in replacement of the corn grain. The experiment lasted 90 d. Final live weight (FLW), average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed conversion (feed:gain), backfat thickness (BFT), and rib eye area (REA) were evaluated. Individual samples of each ingredient and composite samples of the offered rations were collected for the determination of the chemical composition. The experimental design was completely randomized with 5 repetitions per treatment. The results were analyzed using the GLM procedure of SAS, being declared differences with P < 0.05. The partial or total substitution of the GM for the DLB did not generate significant differences on the FLW (P = 0.61), DMI (P = 0.59), ADG (P = 0.35), feed conversion (P = 0.29), REA (P = 0.19), and BFT (P = 0.17). It is concluded that DLB is a co-product that can partially or totally replace the corn grain in rearing diets without affecting animal performance.